UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (pictured) marked the 10th anniversary of the death of Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot on Tuesday with an urgent plea that senior leaders of the brutal revolutionary regime be brought to justice.
The Khmer Rouge ruled from 1975-79 under Pol Pot and have been implicated in the deaths of at
least 1.7 million Cambodians, nearly a quarter of the population. They died from disease, overwork, starvation and execution in the notorious «killing fields.
The long-delayed trials are expected to start this year, but many fear the Khmer Rouge's aging leaders could die before facing justice.
In a statement, Ban said, «I would like to remind the international community of the urgent importance of bringing to closure one of history's darkest chapters.
The secretary-general said the United Nations and the Cambodian government «remain actively engaged in efforts to hold the Khmer Rouge senior leaders and those most responsible accountable for their horrific crimes.
«With the support of the international community, it is my hope that the Extraordinary Chambers in the courts of Cambodia will soon deliver long-overdue justice for the people of Cambodia,» Ban said.
The U.N.-assisted tribunal opened its offices in early 2006 after years of wrangling between the Cambodian government and the world body. Trials _ conducted jointly by international and Cambodian jurists _ were originally projected to end by 2009, but are now expected to run through March 2011.
To extend its operation, the tribunal is seeking an additional US$114 million (¤72 million).
Five former Khmer Rouge leaders have been detained and face trial, most on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
They are Khieu Samphan, the former Khmer Rouge head of state; Ieng Sary, the former Khmer Rouge foreign minister; his wife Ieng Thirith, who was the minister for social affairs; Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge's former ideologist; and Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who headed the Khmer Rouge's notorious S-21 prison and torture center.
The Khmer Rouge ruled from 1975-79 under Pol Pot and have been implicated in the deaths of at
least 1.7 million Cambodians, nearly a quarter of the population. They died from disease, overwork, starvation and execution in the notorious «killing fields.
The long-delayed trials are expected to start this year, but many fear the Khmer Rouge's aging leaders could die before facing justice.
In a statement, Ban said, «I would like to remind the international community of the urgent importance of bringing to closure one of history's darkest chapters.
The secretary-general said the United Nations and the Cambodian government «remain actively engaged in efforts to hold the Khmer Rouge senior leaders and those most responsible accountable for their horrific crimes.
«With the support of the international community, it is my hope that the Extraordinary Chambers in the courts of Cambodia will soon deliver long-overdue justice for the people of Cambodia,» Ban said.
The U.N.-assisted tribunal opened its offices in early 2006 after years of wrangling between the Cambodian government and the world body. Trials _ conducted jointly by international and Cambodian jurists _ were originally projected to end by 2009, but are now expected to run through March 2011.
To extend its operation, the tribunal is seeking an additional US$114 million (¤72 million).
Five former Khmer Rouge leaders have been detained and face trial, most on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
They are Khieu Samphan, the former Khmer Rouge head of state; Ieng Sary, the former Khmer Rouge foreign minister; his wife Ieng Thirith, who was the minister for social affairs; Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge's former ideologist; and Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who headed the Khmer Rouge's notorious S-21 prison and torture center.
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